IMOD Research
Optoelectronics is a foundational technology of the information age: it spans displays, data transmission (internet and data center), sensor, and future, as-yet unrealized quantum information systems.
During the latter half of the 20th century a number of different scientific disciplines converged; development of new semiconductors for electronics, the discovery of new fundamental phenomena, and the subsequent explosion in technological applications based on these findings. These advances transformed modern society. Computers that were the size of a room could now fit in your pocket. Displays shrank and became more precise and efficient.
We are at a similar convergence point in the 21st century. Advances in materials synthesis, new abilities for precise placing and integration of these materials, and quantum light will enable new applications for quantum dots.
Harnessing the opportunities apparent from this convergence of advances would be impossible for one group to do alone. The IMOD community brings together an assembly of inter-disciplinary expertise to realize the potential advances that this convergence promises. Researchers have been brought together around three Research Themes (RTs). By working together, the interactions between the different disciplines push our members to think differently, innovate incorporating new perspectives, and drive forward the research in novel directions.
IMOD has identified a number of core grand challenges across these different scientific disciplines. Addressing these goals requires a trans-disciplinary approach that brings together diverse ideas and promotes innovations. One of the core mechanisms to foster these interactions has been the development of the Working Group (WG) structure.
Working Groups are dynamic teams that nucleate around a topic focus, drawing together researchers from across the Research Themes. These cross-cutting teams combine capabilities and expertise to address specific tasks. The dynamic nature of the Working Groups is such that some teams sunset when a topic is addressed, and new teams emerge as new needs are identified. This has proven to be an excellent way to seed collaboration and develop new connections between the Research Themes.
IMOD has fostered a community of researchers who have developed a common technical language, created an understanding of how they can work together to address grand challenges, while at the same time provide an ethos of agility that provides opportunities to pursue new challenges. Take some time to explore our research pages and find out more about the different elements of our scientific community.